December 7, 2016

Late last November, Hydro One put a moratorium on disconnects. For another winter, electricity will not be cut for those who can’t afford their bills — most with good reason.

Recently, I spoke with executive director of United Way of Bruce Grey Francesca Dobbyn, a woman who has been working to stop disconnects in Owen Sound, not unlike the members of our community. When it comes to the hydro fight she’s stood out by standing up, landing interviews with the Roy Green Show, the Globe and Mail, and local media in Owen Sound.

Dobbyn said there are tons of groups that are involved including Facebook groups which she called informal, grassroots organizations popping up. In North Hastings we have Take Back Your Power Hydro Bills Unplugged. We’ve also heard about antipoverty groups such as Put Food In The Budget or North Hastings Community Trust. Political parties such as the NDP have come out and said stop the disconnects. She said that news of disconnects being stopped Nov. 25 was a victory for Ontario — it’s been a provincewide fight.